Clear Lake-Ellsworth Cemetery
a.k.a. Mackpela Cemetery
a.k.a. Overland Cemetery
a.k.a. Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Ellsworth Township, Hamilton County, Iowa

Contributed to IAGenWeb Project by  Jackie Frederick, April 2012 jjfrederick@sbcglobal.net

This cemetery is a Hamilton County Pioneer Cemetery

The Clear Lake-Ellsworth Township Cemetery is located in section 30 of Ellsworth Township, Hamilton County, Iowa. The cemetery sits on a small hill overlooking rich farm ground on all sides. This cemetery is a Hamilton County Pioneer Cemetery.

The cemetery has several names:

• The Clear Lake-Ellsworth Cemetery is located on the Clear Lake and Ellsworth Township line, hence the name.
  (Once associated with a church which was located in Clear Lake Township and it’s parking lot in Ellsworth Township)
  
  
• It is known as the Mackpela Cemetery as the land was deeded from Mr. Mackpela on Dec 30, 1878.
  
  
• It is called the Overland Cemetery because it is located in the middle of farm fields owned by Overland descendents.
  
  
• It is also called the Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery because of its association with the church.

It is not known just what year the church was built. According to trustee records, the church congregation was organized in the very early 1880’s. In the 1930’s very few church services were held and on Mar 25, 1941, a public auction was held on the church buildings and the church was torn down. The proceeds from the auction (of about $200.00) were used for the maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery.

According to the trustee book, the first person buried in the cemetery was Martha Serine Hustoft in 1878. The last burial was Swan A. Olson in 1949. There were no veterans identified in the cemetery.

Directions to the cemetery: Drive south on state highway 69 to county road D65 also known as the Randall (farm to market) Rd. Turn west on D65 and drive 2 miles to Poplar Grove. Turn south on Poplar Grove for 1 mile to 390^th St. Turn west on 390^th St and go ¾ mile. The cemetery is located on 390^th St. between Poplar Grove and Olson Ave. The cemetery entrance is a field lane on the north side of the road. Follow the field lane about approximately 1/8 mile into the field, the cemetery is on the top of the hill. The cemetery is in a pretty location and well maintained; the lane may be impassable in the spring. There is not a sign on 390^th St to locate or identify the cemetery.